Learning
We are a University Technical College – a college that delivers engineering excellence through innovative, technically-focused education and training for 14-19 year olds on the west coast of Cumbria. On a daily basis our students work closely both with our own excellent staff and also our industry partners, who include:
Through our close, daily, links with our partners, our students are provided with distinctive, innovative and technically-focused education and training to raise their attainment and employment prospects. Our aim is to meet the current and growing skills demand from regional employers working in the rapidly-expanding Energy sector.
Our students are inspired by the relevance and challenge of solving real-life industrial and community problems. They rapidly gain the confidence and both the technical and personal skills to become the creative contributors on whom our businesses and public services can rely for shaping and driving the future of our society.
The ethos of the UTC is inclusive and enabling. Every student and member of staff is encouraged and expected to continuously strive for improvement, setting themselves goals that are both personally challenging and constructive for the community as a whole. In a climate of mutual support and respect, individuals gain the motivation to work with initiative and independence and also the self-confidence to ask questions and to seek the help of others.
We Offer:
- A technical vocational choice for young people aged 14-19
- An ethos and working day that matches closely with business practice
- Unprecedented close links – on a daily basis – with our industry partners
- Apprenticeship experience
- Learning that is delivered through practical work-related projects that foster both collaboration skills and independence
- Rich opportunities for informal learning, through project work and enrichment activities
- State of the art buildings and facilities
- A caring, supportive environment
The Curriculum in more detail
- Students study for BTEC qualifications in engineering or civil engineering. In addition, all students study a range of GCSEs including Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History and Geography.
- Students also have time dedicated to physical education, enrichment, citizenship, careers education and guidance, religious education, and personal, health and social education.
- As a UTC, we are not subject to the Progress 8 or English Baccalaureate, but all students do study the core subjects and gain a focused engineering education that is not available at any other school in cumbria.
For all students much of the learning is developed through employer-led cross-curricular projects enhanced by a range of activities which will make every project relevant to every learner. These include experiences in the workplace.
Teaching and learning is arranged over a 5 day week timetable. The day will begin at 8.30am and end at 3:30pm from Monday to Thursday and last from 8:30am to 1:00 on a Friday, with optional supervised private study until 4.30pm. Each day is divided into 7 periods of classes, with 5 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. Sixth form students may have “free” periods where they can study and relax between classes.
A breakfast club is hosted between 8am-8.30am, with free cereal and toast available for all students and staff. Break is at 10:20am, with lunch at 13:05pm. A variety of food is served at each break from the cafeteria with the menu changing each term.
The UTC operates a significantly longer school day and year than is normal. This enables the UTC to offer students a greater range of extended learning activities such as:
- Greenpower Challenge
- Young Enterprise
- Royal Navy UTC Challenge
- School Council, Dream Placement
- Rugby Training
- Revival Project
- Combined Cadet Force
- Duke of Edinburgh
- Extended Projects
- Volunteering
- Triple Bar
Relationships and Sex Education
As a part of your child’s education at Energy Coast UTC, we promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education programme. PSHE education is the curriculum subject that gives young people the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live safe, healthy, productive lives and meet their full potential.
RSE lessons in year 10 will include teaching about Healthy relationships, including friendships and intimate relationships; keeping safe and giving informed consent. Students will also have opportunities to ask questions that help prepare them for relationships of all kinds in the modern world. You can view the resources that will be used to deliver these lessons by clicking on the links to lesson resources on this page.
PSHE and RSE education is taught throughout the school in every year group and is monitored and reviewed regularly by the staff and governing body. All PSHE and RSE teaching takes place in a safe learning environment and is underpinned by our school ethos and values.
You do have a right to withdraw your child from sex education delivered as part of RSE in secondary schools which, unless there are exceptional circumstances, will be granted up to three terms before your child turns 16. At this point, if the child themselves wishes to receive sex education rather than be withdrawn, the school will make arrangements for this to happen in one of the three terms before the child turns 16 – the legal age of sexual consent.